Albion can entertain

They took the game to Palace from the very first minute and never allowed the visitors to settle.

Albion's passing was as good as it has been all season and in retaining possession high up the pitch, they were able to manoeuvre the Eagles out of position.

The result was three excellent first half goals that gave Palace too big a mountain to climb.

Chris Brunt of West Bromwich Albion winces as he gets onto a stretcher against Crystal Palace

Brunty is definitely adored

If the reception Brunt received when his name and number was read out before the match did not sufficiently highlight how popular the player is, the rousing standing ovation that accompanied his premature departure certainly did.

To compound his week from hell, the Northern Irishman was stretchered off shortly before half-time after falling awkwardly under a challenge from Wilfried Zaha.

The 31-year-old will undergo a scan tomorrow on a knee injury that may have lasting consequences for the rest of the season and beyond.